Claim window
Varies
Retailer pays up to
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Lottery
California
How to claim a Hot Spot prize
- 1 Sign the back of your ticket immediately. A lottery ticket is a bearer instrument — whoever holds a signed ticket owns the prize.
- 2 Check what you won against the prize table.
- 3 Claim before the deadline. Prizes left unclaimed are forfeited.
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Small prizes
Up to the retailer limit — cash out at any authorized retailer.
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Mid-tier prizes
Above the retailer limit — claim at a California lottery claim center or district office, often by mail too.
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Jackpot / top prize
Claim at lottery headquarters. Choose lump sum or annuity — see the tax calculator for take-home.
What you'll need
- ✅ Your original, signed winning ticket
- ✅ Valid government-issued photo ID
- ✅ Your Social Security / taxpayer number for larger prizes (for tax reporting)
- ✅ A completed claim form for prizes claimed at an office
Claim rules and deadlines vary by prize amount and are set by the California lottery.
